M.O.T.-area schools announce Wednesday closures

Appoquinimink schools, MOT Charter, St. Georges Tech and St. Anne's Episcopal School will be closed Wednesday as the M.O.T.-area cleans up from the 5 to 7 inches of snow that fell on Tuesday.

Appoquinimink schools, MOT Charter, St. Georges Tech and St. Anne's Episcopal School will be closed Wednesday as the M.O.T.-area cleans up from the 5 to 7 inches of snow that fell on Tuesday.

Both Appoquinimink and the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District made the announcements about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, after about 3 inches of snow had fallen out of what forecasters predict could be 6 inches to a foot of accumulation by early Wednesday morning.

MOT Charter School announced their school closure about 7 p.m., while St. Anne's made its announcement about 8:15 p.m.

Appoquinimink and MOT Charter students had a half day of school on Tuesday, while St. Anne's was closed in anticipation of the winter storm. New Castle County Vo-Tech schools were closed for a previously-scheduled inservice day.

Middletown Police Chief Henry Tobin III said his officers had responded to five weather-related crashes by 4 p.m.

The gates at the railroad track crossing in Frogtown Crossing also malfunctioned, blocking traffic, he said.

Gov. Jack Markell declared a limited state of emergency about 2 p.m. that includes a Level 1 Driving Warning.

According to state law, a Level 1 Driving Warning means that any person operating a motor vehicle shall exercise extra caution in the operation of their motor vehicle. Nonessential employees, regardless of whether employed by a public or private entity, are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle on state roadways, unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so.

"We strongly encourage drivers who do not need to travel to delay or refrain from being on the road," he said. "Conditions have deteriorated, and it is safer not to drive if you don't have to. DelDOT crews are continuing to work on clearing roads and we will continue to evaluate conditions."

As of 6 p.m., Delaware State Police reported having responded to 114 weather-related crashes statewide, with only a few involving minor injuries. Of those crash, nine had occurred in New Castle County within a two-hour period.